—A graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Oregon School of Law, Kenji is the founder of Ariascend.  An attorney, he played a critical role in the FAA’s 2017 Remote ID and Tracking Aviation Rulemaking Committee. As a full member he helped author the Technology Workgroup’s report and helped write the final report.  In early 2017, he wrote a white-paper on Remote Identification and Tracking of UAS that will likely serve as a foundational element of the broadcast technology for FAA rulemaking on Remote ID and Tracking. Kenji was recently accepted as a Producer for ASTM F38.02. He currently works with a state aviation agency as a UAS policy advisor, and advises numerous state agencies and local municipalities on drone issues. He also sits on the UAS stakeholder group that advises the Oregon Legislature on UAS issues. A prolific writer, he has written a number of articles for trade groups that utilize UAS.

His passion for unmanned aerial systems began over 6 years ago. As a drone operator he has gained a reputation for excellence that include a number of firsts.  His operations included the first operation ever inside a state capitol building, and the first commercially permitted UAS operations at Timberline and Mt. Hood Meadows on Mt. Hood.

Kenji also sits on the Oregon Tourism Commission. In the past he was Chief Operating Officer for a legal e-filing company.